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The Gamer's Guide to Freedom by The Dark Wolf Shiro
Anime X-overs & High School DxD/ハイスクールD×D Xover Rated: M, English, Supernatural & Fantasy, Words: 191k+, Favs: 5k+, Follows: 5k+, Published: Aug 19, 2020 Updated: Oct 2, 2021
2,363Chapter 9: Kuro, Starter of Wars
Disclaimer: I own nothing
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The Gamers Guide to Freedom
Chapter 09: Kuro, Starter of Wars
Returning from her contract, Akeno smirked to herself at another job well done.
Her particular tastes made her well suited for a special kind of contractor, and there were no end of men and women willing to pay for her less than tender touch.
She had conditions of course, she wouldn't sleep with her contractors and she decided the limits on what she was willing to do with her subs, and despite being a switch herself she also wasn't willing to accept a contract as a sub.
She had no desire to put herself at the whims of a mortal, but accepting contracts as a dom was a different matter entirely, it helped her get out the sadistic urges and control herself despite the habits that were undoubtedly the fault of her cursed lineage.
Her most recent contractor, or contractors she supposed, were a married couple whose flame was dying due to their incompatibility in the bedroom, as they were both subs with no skill or desire to dominate the other. The man had never been allowed to touch her, he wasn't her type, but making him masturbate while his wife went down on her was amusing, as was introducing them both to her whip.
In the end, she got paid for hurting and degrading the thankful couple, while dealing with her own urges. Devils had poor impulse control, it was a racial trait that caused no end of trouble and combined with the sick desires she inherited from her father she needed to deal with them, and while Rias could (and would) be her sub on occasion, she made a poor dom.
A part of her wondered how well Riser would fulfil her urges to be hurt and degraded, but she'd rather not find out if it meant the end of Rias's freedom, even if the idea of an older man treating her like the worthless slut she was sent shivers through her body. She didn't like Riser, but like and lust were two very different things.
Heading to the clubroom shower, she paused slightly as her sensitive ears picked up the sound of running water... and quiet sobs barely audible over the sound of the shower running.
Kiba had been taken back to the underworld, and Koneko had a contract of her own...
Knowing this, she stripped out of the black leather outfit she wore for the job and entered the bathroom without hesitation, not bothering to knock as she walked into the shower, sitting next to her crying King, putting an arm around her shoulder and pulling Rias against her.
She'd gone to see Lord Sirzechs, and it didn't take a genius to see that it hadn't gone well for her, and as Rias's queen it was her job to support her king, even if it meant just holding her in comfortable silence.
"Akeno... am I a failure?" Rias asked quietly after a few minutes, making Akeno pause as she looked down at Rias.
"Of course not, a bit lazy and irresponsible perhaps but if your father hadn't changed the timeline you would have been far more ready. Sometimes... there just isn't a way to win, not when people are stacking the deck against you." Akeno said soothingly as she hugged Rias. "I take it Lord Sirzechs refused to help you?"
"...he agreed, or at least he has a plan to help me." Rias admitted, a dark look passing her face.
...Then why the hell was Rias crying in the shower?
"I... don't understand? Is that not a good thing?" Akeno asked making Rias laugh bitterly.
"He refused when I asked him for help, and when I begged... but he changed his mind when I made him an offer." Rias explained, making Akeno pause.
"With all due respect, what could you offer a Satan to change his mind?" she asked watching as shame and disgust crossed Rias's face.
Oh.
"The only thing I had left, myself. I, the Heiress of the Gremory Family, whored myself out to my own brother to get his aid. Amazing how quickly his mind changed when my clothes came off... but after degrading myself for him, making my own brother cum with my tits... he told me he couldn't actually help me. I don't know why I was surprised, things don't go right for me any more... I suppose I should just be happy he decided to tell me before I spread my legs for him." Rias scoffed, anger and shame filling her tone. "But it's fine... because my wonderful big brother has a plan... all I have to do is convince Kuro Dantalion to go along with it and Sirzechs will do the rest." Rias said sarcastically. "I have two weeks to convince Kuro to help me, despite not knowing him and Kiba's actions, if I can't then I lose and we'll all be in Riser's bed soon after."
She'd always thought Sirzechs was too... over the top with his affection when it came to Rias, and hearing that he accepted such an offer... didn't surprise her as much as it probably should.
"Then you haven't lost yet, you still have a chance." Akeno pointed out, no judgement in her tone.
"Akeno, I don't have the first clue where to start with Kuro." Rias pointed out, making her nod. "And I have to get him to forgive me for Kiba's actions and then agree to help me, in a short amount of time... and Sirzechs idea isn't an escape, it just changes who I would be bound to, with a new, more fair, contract. If Kuro agrees, I'll likely be his wife soon enough, but you and Koneko will be safe and Riser won't get us."
"He seems reasonable enough, that Kiba is still living is proof that he's not a cruel man." Akeno said calmly. "If Kuro is in Kuoh, you won't have to move or go back to the Underworld, plus... if you need to, use me as a bargaining chip." Akeno offered making her kings eyes widen. "I've never been as prideful as you, and if I can help you by giving myself to a handsome young man, I'll do it happily..." Akeno said with a smile.
"I wouldn't do that to you, I'm not Sirzechs willing to whore my queen out for my own gain." Rias scoffed making Akeno's eyebrows rise. "He admitted it, Grayfia is serving Kuro now, however he wants." Rias said before she smiled slightly. "Grayfia always did like talking about being willing to put aside my pride for the good of the house, I wonder if she thinks the same when she's on her knees." Rias said sarcastically. "I'd almost pay to see it."
So would she, but not out of spite like Rias but simply because Grayfia was an incredibly beautiful woman and seeing someone that prideful be made to serve sounded divine.
"And I'm not like Grayfia, so prideful and stern... Rias, I'm a lustful devil, you know that, I wouldn't feel ashamed of whoring myself as you put it, say the word and I'll submit myself to whatever wicked whims Kuro has... Ufufufu."
Kuro had an... aura around him, chilling the air and putting people on edge, but honestly the feeling of the intimidating aura made her nipples harden and panties grow wet during their meeting. What would it be like to submit herself to such a man?
"By the Satans, you're a pervert." Rias said fondly as she watched Akeno giggle to herself. "Thank you, Akeno... but I have my own form of pride, and if I'm going to be whoring anyone out, it will be myself. You might be my queen, but your body is yours, to give to whoever you want."
"And if I decide I want to offer myself to Kuro, of my own free will?" Akeno asked, watching Rias sigh despite her smile.
"Then I'd be breaking my own word to try and stop you, even if I know you're just trying to help me... well, mostly." Rias said deadpan, glancing at Akeno's hardened nipples making her giggle shamelessly again.
- Kuro -
"...It's not even midday yet, why did you wake me up?" I ask as I stare at Grayfia with displeasure, unwilling to get dressed.
Helia has already slipped out of bed after my dark foresight warned me off the evil brewing woke me up, but I went back to bed since while I am sure someone is scheming against my free time I don't know who.
Helia is a regular in my bed, and she's frankly incredibly talented with her mouth, but I haven't fucked her... yet, she's loyal but I see no reason to rush her when she's happy to use her mouth instead.
Helia is loyal and grateful for the opportunity to serve the Dantalion family, but loyalty has its limits and I haven't had time to spend with her to solidify it beyond her joining me in bed. Aria is still scheming, but her affection and obedience are high enough that I'm not particularly worried.
I have a limited amount of time, and a sin of sloth that makes me lose focus if I don't rest regularly, a slightly scheming slave girl is a minor problem on my list of concerns. I've ordered Miza to watch over Lezea and Bryria, keep them somewhat fed, and be ready to take a dicking at my whims, other than that the little green shortstack can do as she pleases as long as she stays within the estate.
"Because the meeting with Lord Ajuka is later today and someone has sent a request for a meeting and Lady Gremory is not someone to be kept waiting." Grayfia said quickly making me stand up off the bed, sighing.
Lady Gremory, that would be Rias and Sirzechs's mother.
"And what exactly does Lady Gremory want with me?" I ask as I stare at Grayfia, smirking at the sight of her in her uniform.
"I have no idea, Lady Venelana might not technically be the head of the house but she is very influential and well connected throughout the Underworld. She wishes to meet with you at your earliest convenience and is awaiting your answer." Grayfia admits as I groan.
I want to grind for more levels, but people won't give me my space... but gaining a few levels is less important than making connections throughout the underworld, and the mother of a Satan seems like a powerful ally.
"Very well, do I have time before we have to head to the underworld to meet Ajuka?" I ask making her nod.
"I believe she could be here in minutes once I send your reply, you have a couple of hours before we have to leave for the Underworld..." Grayfia trailed off, pausing hesitantly. "I... My Lord, I have a request..." Grayfia says cautiously as I stare at her.
"And what would that be?" I ask, already fairly certain I know as she tugs at the bottom of her skirt trying to pull it further down.
"As you likely know, Lady Gremory is my mother in law and Lord Ajuka is my husbands best friend, and I would rather not have them see me so... scantily clad, nor have them realise just how far my... service to you goes, and would like to wear my old uniform for today." Grayfia requests making me smirk slightly.
"Is that so?" I ask noncommitedly, making her fidget at my stare. "And if I would prefer you to remain in your new outfit?"
"Then I would... obey your request despite my hesitation." Grayfia admits quietly as she frowns.
"Send a reply to Venelana that I can meet with her at... eleven, which gives me almost an hour to get ready... and to decide how I want my maid dressed." I order making her pause before she nods, quickly writing out a message and sending it through a small magical circle. "As for your request, hmm... why don't you take your uniform off for now." I say calmly, watching as she hesitates for a second before she quickly strips out of the slutty maid outfit Aria picked for her.
She has clearly learnt her lesson this time, and as the maid uniform comes off her lack of underwear is quickly revealed.
"If I'm going to be meeting with Lady Gremory, I need a bath first. You don't mind helping me, do you?" I ask as I walk out of the room, heading for the main bathroom with Grayfia trailing behind me.
"Grayfia, clean me... thoroughly and I will consider your request, the more enthusiastic and well behaved you are, the more likely I will be to accept." I offer making Grayfia quickly grab the cleaning supplies.
Sitting down on the stool beside the almost swimming pool sized bath, I just sit back and enjoy myself as Grayfia quickly gets to work, rubbing the soapy cloth over my body.
After a moment, she pauses before she lets out a sigh, getting her own body as soapy as possible before she pushes her breasts against my back.
"This is what you wanted, is it not my lord?" Grayfia asks as she kneels behind me, rubbing her breasts up and down my back.
"Hmm? Who knows." I say teasingly as I smile, two small, slowly hardening points pressing against my back as she works.
Moving to my arm, she traps it between her breasts as she rubs them against my arm, I'm not sure how hygienic this is, but I don't particularly care.
"Have you done this before?" I ask making her give me a dirty look even as she moves around to the other arm.
"Of course not, Sirzechs can clean himself and the only male I've ever bathed is my son." Grayfia said calmly, moving in front of me.
"He doesn't know what he was missing, this beats regular clothes considerably." I admit as she takes a breath and moves forwards, pressing her tits against my chest.
"Sirzechs or Millicas... in fact, don't answer that." Grayfia says with a slight scowl as she rubs herself against me, saying nothing as my arms move around her waist and my hands come to rest on her ass, lightly squeezing her buttocks, my erect cock pressing against her stomach.
"Heh, as you wish... but I think my chest and stomach are fairly clean now, why don't you move a little lower." I say with a smile as she gives me a dirty look before she moves to her knees with a sigh.
"I... am the Strongest Queen, one of the strongest Devils in the Underworld." Grayfia says as she kneels between my legs, before she reaches forwards and grasps my shaft in a tight, but not painful grip. "But you don't care, do you? All my power, all my fame, and I'm just a plaything for you, aren't I?" Grayfia asks as she starts to move, her slender fingers started to stroke me. "I think I may actually hate you, but it doesn't particularly matter with your hold on me, my own husband ordering me to serve you."
"I do care about your power, it makes this even better." I admit as her eyes widen. "Someone so powerful, so prideful, so beautiful... and you're still on your knees stroking my cock. It's pretty amazing."
+5 Obedience with Grayfia for pushing her to this point [50/100]
+5 Affection with Grayfia for admitting the truth [-40/100]
"I suppose it would be, I imagine there are countless devils who would like the same power over me, and most of them wouldn't have been as... merciful." Grayfia admits as she uses her free hand to fondle my ballsack. "Why didn't you fuck me? We both know I'm not in a position to refuse, and you clearly want me. Any other devil would have taken me the moment they had control of me, but you keep holding back."
"Of course I want you, but I don't need to take you by force. Tell me, when you last cleaned me, did you even consider using your breasts? Or giving me a... happy ending?" I ask making her pause her stroking. "No need to answer, we both know the answer... but here you are, stroking my dick and you don't even look angry, maybe just a bit annoyed, but not particularly angry." I point out as she stares up at me.
"I am only doing this to ensure I don't have to reveal my shameful position to my mother in law, a woman I greatly respect." Grayfia points out, making me chuckle.
"And the next time someone comes over, how will you convince me to let you dress in your old uniform? What happens when I grow bored of your hand and want something else?" I ask making her go silent as she looks away from me, silently acknowledging my point. "I don't need to force you, Grayfia..."
"Perhaps you are right." Grayfia says quietly, her hand speeding up as I smile at her.
"No, I am right and we both know it... but why just say that when I can prove it? Grayfia, finish me with your mouth and you can wear your old uniform for both meetings, or you can use your hand and wear it for one." I offer as she looks up at me, a hint of anger in her eyes as we engage in a brief staring contest.
"You... are a bastard." Grayfia says after a moment, making me chuckle even as she leans in and slowly parts her lips, taking the tip of my cock into her mouth.
"I suppose I am." I admit as I watch her quickly start to bob her head, staring up at me with annoyed silver eyes.
+5 Obedience with Grayfia for proving your point [55/100]
-5 Relationship Loyalty with Grayfia for getting her to blow you [65/100]
Sorry Sirzechs, but really you can't let a girl like this fall into the hands of another man unless you want to lose her forever, who the hell would willingly give her up after having her?
She might be irritated at me, but it doesn't take away from her skill as she quickly uses her clearly experienced mouth to bring me to completion in a matter of minutes, not breaking eye contact as she does so.
Feeling my balls churn in her hands, she pauses before she pulls back and grasps my shaft again, aiming it as she rapidly jerks my cock.
As my climax hits, my seed bursts forth and splatters against her waiting chest, Grayfia not even flinching as it does so, merely continuing stroking until the torrent of cum stops.
"You know, you technically finished me with your hand." I point out as her eyes widens, a scowl crossing her face. "A devil should be more aware of such obvious loopholes... but I am feeling pretty merciful today, just don't expect me to show such kindness in the future." I say as I stand up.
+5 Affection with Grayfia for showing Mercy [-35/100]
"I... thank you for your kindness, My Lord." Grayfia says with a sigh even as her scowl fades. "So I may wear my regular uniform?"
"You may wear your old uniform, your regular one is the one you're trying to avoid wearing." I point out as I grab a sponge.
Cleanliness is next to Godliness and I doubt that counts as a proper clean.
"You have my thanks, My Lord." Grayfia says graciously before she looks down at her cum-stained chest and sighs again.
- Later -
My first thought on Venelana Gremory is simple... holy shit those are big.
The white dress she is wearing can barely restrain the frankly gargantuan breasts straining against the cloth as she takes a drink of the tea Grayfia has served us.
"My Lord... you're staring." Grayfia says scoldingly as I realise she is right, quickly looking back up into Venelana's amused purple gaze.
"Now, now Grayfia... he's a healthy young devil, of course he is." Venelana says with a giggle, her chest bouncing as she does so. "I don't mind him enjoying the view, he certainly wouldn't be the first."
"My apologies, Lady Gremory." I say quickly, whether she minds or not is one thing, I should have better impulse control than this.
"It is nothing, Lord Dantalion, and please call me Venelana." Venelana says calmly, smiling at me as she puts her tea down. "And you have my thanks for agreeing to meet with me so soon, what I have to discuss is rather time sensitive after all."
"It's Kuro then, and what exactly can I do for you?" I ask as I take a sip myself, Grayfia honestly isn't the best maid despite her beloved maid outfit, she can't clean properly and she is far from maid-like in personality, but she does make a good tea.
"Hmm, I have a request of you, but I believe I should give you some background before I make it." Venelana admitted as she glanced at Grayfia. "I am aware that Grayfia trespassed in some form of family ritual, and has been sentenced to serve you as punishment, but tell me... are you sleeping with her?" Venelana asks bluntly, making Grayfia's eyes widen.
"Lady Gremory, I assure you I have not had sex with him." Grayfia says quickly, making Venelana raise an eyebrow knowingly.
"I believe I heard a unspoken 'yet' there, Grayfia you have always been rather easy to read, and you specified sex... oral then? Or are you just using your hands and breasts for now? You've always been rather prudish so I doubt you have resorted to anal." Venelana says, sounding amused at Grayfia's rapidly paling face. "You'll find no judgement from me, I'm certain my son is aware of your actions, he sent you to serve a young male devil after all, frankly I'm surprised you are even dressed."
"You seem rather calm about my cuckolding your son..." I say cautiously making her giggle again.
"We are devils, and marriage among devils has always been more about politics than it has love. You are a young man and Grayfia is a beautiful woman, when put under your control it is impressive that you haven't fucked her yet." Venelana says with a smirk, the crude words mismatched with her aristocratic appearance. "Lust... is simply a part of being a devil, and while we should aim to be better than the utterly impulsive devils who came before us, acting on their base instincts with no thought to the consequences, denying our sins completely is just as dangerous, and a mistake. Lust is nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed about." Venelana continues before she giggles again. "But I digress, I just wanted to get an idea of the man I am dealing with."
"I see, allow me to help... I'm lazy and a pervert. That's... basically it." I say with a grin making her chuckle. Venelana is growing on me quickly. "Oh, I have a bunch of weird powers as well."
"My thanks, fortunately I have lots of experience with lazy people and perverts alike. I take it you already know of the engagement between my daughter and Riser Phenex?" Venelana asks making me nod calmly. "You will likely not know that my husband has lost his patience with Rias, and despite my warnings to the contrary has sped up the time frame, Rias had several years to either come to terms with the marriage or find a way out, now she has two weeks before she is to fight a battle she can't win and be forced into the marriage."
"That is... a shame?"
"Rias is partially responsible for this, after a rather large argument with her father resulting in some... things being said that can't be taken back, and while my husband is the main person pushing for this, he is not completely at wrong either. Rias was given everything she would need to get out of the wedding, but her laziness shone through and she relied on getting her brother to help her out instead of every trying herself. Sirzechs has always spoiled her, and she is unused to doing things herself. Zeoticus is sick of her unwillingness to apply herself, and frankly he is well meaning." Venelana says making me raise an eyebrow.
"He means well in forcing her to marry someone she seems to hate?"
"Zeoticus is... disappointed that Rias refuses to put her considerable potential to use, wasting it away as she plays at schoolgirl in the human world, only training the bare minimum. He isn't wrong of course, but he is also rather... misogynistic and he believes that Rias would be far better off with a... firm hand guiding her, he also believes that a devil like Riser would be better off with a woman who wouldn't simply obey his every whim like his peerage do, and Lord Phenex agree." Venelana admits with a shrug, making her massive mammaries jiggle as she does. "Lord Phenex and my husband believe that Riser and Rias could make each other better, taking two devils with frankly wasted potential and making a pair not to be trifled with."
"Rias hates Riser, surely that would put a bit of a thorn in that plan." I point out making her sigh. "And I thought there was some big alliance relying on this marriage?"
"Rias hates the idea of Riser, this caricature she has made in her head, not the real Riser, a young man not unlike yourself that she frankly doesn't know, but you are correct of course. Zeoticus sees Rias's actions as a teenager lashing out, just a phase of teenage rebellion, and he refuses to see the true desperation and panic in her actions. Zeoticus is very prideful and even more stubborn, Rias inherited that stubbornness from him." Venelana says with a fond smile. "As for the alliance? It's a formality, the Phenex and Gremory families are old friends and the alliance will go through regardless, the two Lords just thought it would be interesting to unite the families in such a way as living proof of that alliance."
"And while that is interesting... what does it have to do with me?" I ask making her smile.
"Of course, allow me to explain... Rias, upon hearing of the new time frame, ran to Sirzechs as she always does, and while Sirzechs has been keeping out of this until recently, he has begun to move... which is a problem because as I said, my husband is very prideful and he despises Sirzechs butting into his affairs. His pride can't take his own son counteracting his decisions, even with Sirzechs immense power." Venelana explains, I can't say I blame the man.
"Lady Gremory... how do you know Rias visited Sirzechs?" Grayfia asks making her scoff.
"Grayfia, you do remember that the mansion you and Sirzechs call your home is a Gremory property, with Gremory staff working there? Our old summer home at that, Zeoticus thought it was funny to have Sirzechs sleep in the master bedroom he was almost certainly conceived in." Venelana points out with a giggle as Grayfia blushes.
The Satan Lucifer lives in his parents house?
"As I was saying, Sirzechs left the house shortly after the meeting and was seen looking thought the law books... on contracts, which means despite him refusing to help Rias in this for quite literally years, he has changed his mind. I don't know why he has done so now despite Rias begging him for years to help her, I have some suspicions but I would rather confirm them before I speak of them. My point is that I don't want my family torn apart over this but Sirzechs and Zeoticus are both too stubborn to back down and this is only going to get worse, that said I have a decent idea of what Sirzechs is planning, he might be powerful but he's always been fairly predictable, at least for me..." Venelana says proudly.
"And it involves me?"
"I believe so, but even if it doesn't I have a plan of my own to stop all this nonsense, and I require your assistance, for which you will be well rewarded. I believe Sirzechs plans for Rias to seduce you, and then to use your relative untouchable status to make a new betrothal between you and Rias by making it too enticing for Zeoticus to refuse, you are the new golden boy of the underworld after all. It would be a slap in the face of the Phenex family, but thanks to Lady Leviathan, you are beyond reproach, and with a new contract Sirzechs could... reset the time frame, giving Rias months or even years she doesn't have now while they look for a way to then cancel that contract." Venelana explains making me pause.
I can see the logic.
"It won't work of course, Zeoticus is on far too good terms with Lord Rakul Phenex to spit in his face like that, no matter the benefits having Rias be married to Serafall's golden boy would bring, and I fear Rias and Sirzechs will act... extremely irrationally as the deadline approaches. So I came up with my own plan to stop my family from self-destructing, and that is why I require your aid, but of course my family's troubles are not yours, and you'd be right to refuse and send Rias away when she inevitably comes knocking... but I can assure you that I will make it worth the effort." Venelana says quickly.
"I'm going to admit, getting stuck in the middle of all this isn't exactly appealing, but... I can hear you out at the very least." I offer making her smile. "What is this magical plan of yours."
"It has two rather simple, though perhaps difficult, steps to begin with... firstly, I need you to befriend Riser Phenex, something I believe I can assist with, and secondly I need you to seduce my daughter." Venelana says bluntly as I pause.
"...what?"
"Even if a new contract was formed, Rias would turn her hatred of Riser into a hatred of you, and this ridiculous game would continue, however if Rias fell for you before any contract was formed, she'd be happy to marry you and would stop fighting with her father so much. When Rias comes to seduce you, I want you to resist and instead turn the table on her, seducing her instead. At the risk of sounding insulting, I do believe Rias will be rather... easy, she has specific ideas of how her romance should go and matching those ideas would have her falling for you quickly enough... you will have to convince her that you share her affections, which may be the hard part." Venelana says as I stare at her.
"...you want me to convince your daughter that I love her, so she marries me?" I ask, making her nod. Fucking devils, I'm one of them and they still surprise me.
"We are on a time limit, and I don't know if true affection can sprout so quickly... but as I said, marriage in the underworld is not about love or affection, though Rias is a wonderful girl and I do believe you would grow fond of her in time, even if true love never grows. As for Rias, she needs a hero and if one appears I have no doubt she will at the very least convince herself she is in love, inexperienced girl that she is. Make no mistake, I want to see Rias happy and I have no doubt she will be if my plan works out. It may seem cruel but I am working with the cards that Zeoticus, Sirzechs and Rias have dealt me." Venelana explains.
"I suppose I can see that, and Riser?"
"Riser is a young man who enjoys his easy, free life... and after observing him with Rias I have realised something. He wants this marriage as much as Rias does, but unlike Rias he is willing to go through with it to please his father, it isn't easy being the third son after all. Riser is not a bad man, a lustful and prideful one, but as I said... that just comes with being a Devil, and I believe that if you befriended him and convinced him that you had strong feelings for Rias, he would be unwilling to hurt a friend in such a way and would be far more open to convincing his father to call off the marriage." Venelana says as I pause.
Holy fuck she is a scheming one.
I'm partially scared and even more turned on.
"It would still be an embarrassment for the Phenex family." Grayfia points out, making Venelana smile.
"Perhaps, but I have a plan for that as well..." Venelana says making me chuckle, of course she does. "Do you know that Rakul Phenex once spent a fortune that several less wealthy houses combined couldn't match to acquire some Phoenix tears, real Phoenix tears instead of the pale imitation that the Phenex's can produce?" Venelana asks making me pause, sending a mental call out to Nyx as she flames into the room, landing on my shoulder. "They turned out to be fake and Rakul incinerated the conman, but it was a lasting mark of shame that he was so easily conned at the time. The Phenex family have searched for a Phoenix for as long as I can remember... with no success."
"My familiar is off limits, so if you think I'm going to give Nyx away to get Rias out of a marriage you can fuck right off." I warn coldly, my amusement faded as she smiles.
+10 Affection with Nyx for putting the mere devil in her place [55/100]
+10 Obedience with Nyx for reaffirming your bond [90/100]
[The Master of Myths] - Nyx [50]
Mythical Creatures come in all shapes and sizes, but one thing they do share is a strange fondness for you. You have a way with these mystical, and sometimes divine creatures, making them less liable to eat you. Game Note, less liable to eat you does not mean they won't still try to eat you anyway, but they'll probably feel really bad about it later.
+5 Affection with Venelana Gremory for proving that there is a good man somewhere in there [15/100]
"Then it is a good thing that I have no such desires, but what I do want to know is whether Nyx here can shed tears? For the Phenex, shedding tears is something that they have to do in an rather complicated and time consuming ritual, the second son spends almost all his time producing them for the family business due to his unnatural skill at it in comparison to the rest of his family, and even still he can barely produce a small vial every couple of days... there is a reason they is so expensive." Venelana explained before Nyx let out a smug cry, small tears falling from her eyes and onto my shirt.
"Nyx says the Phenex devils are... pathetic imposters, or at least that is the polite version, and that she could outcry them all combined." I point out making Venelana chuckle at my prideful familiar.
"Then you will never have to worry about finances, and a vial or two of her tears should be more to make Rakul happily call off the marriage, and with a new contract with you Zeoticus would still be happy himself. Everyone is happy, my family doesn't tear itself apart, and you'll likely end up Lord Gremory, joining one of the wealthiest and well connected houses in the underworld, married to a beautiful and brilliant, if lazy, young woman." Venelana says proudly. "Of course, Sirzechs has probably offered you something for helping Rias, feel free to accept that as well, any devil would enjoy being paid twice for one contract, and I am open to paying you in both material goods and personal services if you require additional enticement."
"Your plan requires me to befriend Riser and make Rias fall for me in the time frame of... two weeks, you do realise that slight flaw right?" I ask making her smile.
"And as I said, I can help with both of those things." Venelana points out. "For Riser, I believe we can start as early as tonight... if you are amicable."
"Lord Dantalion has a meeting with-" Grayfia starts before Venelana cuts in.
"Lord Ajuka, I am well aware... but Ajuka has another meeting later tonight, which means he doesn't expect whatever you are going to do to take too long, and it means you will already be in the capital later." Venelana says easily, making me pause again.
She really does scare me, more than Grayfia could hope to. Grayfia is powerful, true... but Venelana is a different sort of intimidating.
"So, with that in mind, would you give me the honour of going on a date with me tonight?" Venelana asks making me freeze.
What.
"Sorry, what?" I ask as I stare at the smiling devil. I can't predict this woman at all.
"A date, I'm sure you are not unfamiliar with the concept. You and me, at a very popular club in the Underworld... coincidentally on the same night of the week that Riser frequents it." Venelana says with a smile.
"...what are you going to say to your husband? If this place is popular, more than a few people will see us."
"I'll tell him that I went on a date with a handsome young devil, we have been married for a very long time, and he has other woman to warm his bed tonight. You need not fear for my marriage, while he will not desire the details he will care little for what I get up to... I made that clear when he decided he wanted a harem despite being married to me, if he wanted to pursue other women then I wanted the same right, even if I exercise it far more rarely and haven't... kept any of my dalliances as Zeoticus is fond of doing." Venelana says casually, didn't she say Zeoticus was misogynistic? I'm getting the feeling Zeoticus doesn't wear the pants in this relationship.
"Hm, so we just bump into Riser and then what?"
"Riser is a simple man, he treats his Peerage like trophies, and ones that he is immensely proud of at that, when you arrive with me and Grayfia hanging off your arms, it will send a message, that you are someone he wants to know..."
"Wait, me?" Grayfia says quickly.
"My original plan just had me being his arm-candy, but with you already under his control I might as well make use of her, you don't mind Kuro?" Venelana asked making me smirk, glancing at Grayfia.
"None."
"Excellent, it is no exaggeration to say that Grayfia is one of the most well-known women in the underworld, and I am rather renown as well, with us both as your arm-candy, Riser won't be able to resist wanting to meet you... and from there you simply need to act like the kind of person Riser loves... that is to say, himself." Venelana says with a giggle.
"...how am I supposed to act like someone I've never met?" I ask making her chuckle.
"Oh, he isn't a complicated man. I'm sure you'll enjoy playing the part, I'll arrange for the outfits for all three of us, I'm sure you'll enjoy seeing what I have in mind as well... just remember, I gave you a tour of the capital and you impressed me enough for me to let you take me clubbing, impress me at the club and you'll be taking me home as well." Venelana says with a sultry smile. "And if you needed any more convincing to at least go along with step one, Riser is the kind of man who gropes his girls in public just to prove they're his... and you will be acting similarly to him..." she trails off, her hand running down her front making her breasts bounce.
"...well, I need to introduce myself to the Underworld locals sooner or later anyway."
I can always back out later on, but Venelana seems like someone I want on my side.
+5 Affection with Venelana for going along with the start of her plan [20/100]
"Excellent, then I will leave you to prepare for Ajuka, he's rather an intense man after all... and we can meet at the Gremory Estate to prepare for our date afterwards, if that is alright with you?" Venelana says as she rises.
"Works for me, I'll be looking forwards to it."
Watching her walk away, I briefly acknowledge that she is leading me around by my dick, but if anyone has to do it, it might as well be her.
Damn.
- Later -
"Ahh, so this is Serafall's new project." the grinning blonde man says as he looks me over, making my eyes narrow slightly. "Kuro, you don't mind if I call you Kuro right, you've really shook things up lately, enough that lil Ajuka here actually decided to admit that this whole afterlife business was something that needed more than just him. I'm Azazel by the way, Fallen Angel extraordinaire." Azazel says with a grin as Ajuka rolls his eyes.
"We have work to do, Azazel, and a limited amount of time to do it. This won't stay secret forever, and we need more information before it becomes public." the green haired Satan says, a serious expression on his face. "Thank you for bringing Lord Dantalion Grayfia, wait outside, we can't risk any distractions." he orders with casual tone, Grayfia's face twitching in anger before she sighs and walks out of the room.
"Ahh, hate to see her leave but love to watch her go... you tapped that yet?" Azazel asks, tossing an arm around my shoulder.
As I go to respond, Ajuka cuts in.
"Azazel, focus. To start, your payment for assisting in this experiment." Ajuka says blandly as he hands over a small briefcase. "Mutation Evil Pieces, more powerful that the usual ones, it is good that you haven't used any of your old Evil Pieces yet since I made the system so each devil can only have a single set connected to them."
"But that's boring, and I've got a better prize for you, you see while Ajuka has his Evil Pieces, and he's right to be proud of them... I'm the greatest expert in Sacred Gears since my old man himself, so good I can even make artificial ones, so that's my offer... help out with our little experiment and I'll make you a custom Sacred Gear, you can even pick what it does, no need to decide right now."
A Sacred Gear and some better Evil Pieces for summoning some souls?
"Well, I suppose I'm already here... but aren't we at war?" I ask Azazel making him chuckle.
"A war colder than a frost giants asshole, but yes... but here's the thing, plenty of devils and fallen want the war to go on forever, thinking we should all kill each other until only one side is left standing... but how many people do you think would be willing to fight the 'good fight' if they hear that only eternal suffering is waiting for us?" Azazel asks, poking my side. "Because I sure as fuck don't want to spend an eternity being tortured after I die, and no matter how strong you are there is always a chance that someone weaker than you will get lucky, so I have some strong personal motivations to make sure this war of ours doesn't heat back up." Azazel pointed out with a smirk. "Assuming we Fallen don't get a different afterlife, but that's why we are here today."
"The sooner we get this done, the better." Ajuka pointed out as he stared at Azazel making him shrug.
"So, what do you want me to do?"
"This experiment is fairly simple, assuming you can do what we require... we will give you names, images and information on specific dead people from different races, and you will attempt to call their soul so we can question them." Ajuka explains, some enthusiasm entering his tone.
"Don't mind Ajuka, he's a bit of a mad scientist and only really cares about his experiments, but he has a point... the anticipation is killing me, and I don't enjoy being edged, so do you need anything or can we begin? We do have a limited amount of time unfortunately since two faction leaders can't disappear for too long." Azazel says as I pause.
"I should be able to do it, where do we start?" I ask making him chuckle.
"Where indeed, Ajuka?" Azazel asks.
"An Angel to begin with, they are the least likely to be in this Hell after all." Ajuka says, making Azazel nod.
"Also the most likely to be unwilling to cooperate, but so be it... I know just the guy." Azazel said with a growing grin, grabbing one of the files they clearly prepared ahead of time.
Handing it over to me, I pause as I start to read.
"You want me... to summon an archangel?" I ask making Azazel laugh as Ajuka sighs in annoyance, giving Azazel a dirty look..
"Oh, definitely... but don't worry, even if you can't control him me and Ajuka certainly can." Azazel says quickly. "I just want to see one of my long-lost brothers, is that so bad?"
Looking at the drawing of the handsome blonde man, I pause as I reach out with my power, searching for the soul of Raguel, Archangel of Justice, Fairness, Vengeance and Redemption.
If it wasn't for the fact that Isis has assured me that there won't be any more sudden possessions, and the fact that two of the strongest beings around are waiting in the wings, I wouldn't dare try and summon someone like this, but as I grasp the soul I feel my mana start to drain somewhat, even as golden light starts to take shape, the spectral form of a young man with ten wings behind his back, shirtless except for an armoured shoulder pad.
"How... where am I? Devils.. wait, AZAZEL!" Raguel roars as Azazel immediately bursts out laughing.
"Oh damn, I didn't think this would work." Azazel chuckles as Raguel attempts to create a light spear, his magic failing him. "Sorry, Ragy... but you're dead."
"A fact of which I am well aware, traitor, it was your spear that ended my life." Raguel growls as he glares at Azazel, ignoring us completely.
"Dammit Azazel." Ajuka sighs as Azazel giggles to himself like a child.
"So, Ragy, how was the afterlife? I'm not being mean, I really need to know." Azazel asks as Raguel glares at him.
"You expect me to help you, after this?!"
"Yup. This might actually help make peace between the three factions and end a war that has been ongoing for centuries, claiming millions of lives... So..." Azazel trails off as Raguel pauses, sighing.
"I pity you, devils... to be trapped in the same mortal plane as him. Very well, I would not let a grudge cost lives, even the lives of devils and fallen. I know not what you want me to say however, my last memory was being struck down from the skies by Azazel's spear, I fell and knew I met my end... then I was here, a mere spectre of my true self." Raguel explained as Ajuka quickly started making notes.
"Hmm, no afterlife for Angels? Curious, if I recall you fell in battle close to six hundred years ago, and yet you remember it as if it was recent." Ajuka mumbles.
"For me, it has been minutes, my vision faded and then when it cleared I was here. I have nothing else to tell you. Boy, it is your power keeping me on this plane is it not? Release me." Raguel ordered, making me glance at Azazel and Ajuka, getting a reluctant nod form Ajuka.
"As you wish, have a nice eternity in the void." I say as I cancel the spell keeping him here, watching as he started to fade away.
"Watch yourself boy, I wouldn't wish Azazel on even a devil." Raguel warned as he faded from existence, his soul leaving to... somewhere? I can feel countless souls in the distance as I use my power, but I can't differentiate between the feeling of the Void and Hell yet.
Neither was harder than the other to summon.
"Well that's just rude." Azazel said as he watched him murder victim fade away. "Curious, I'm fairly certain father is responsible for this Hell Izan spoke off, but I would have expected Raguel to boast of some Heaven for Angels, and yet I am sure he telling the truth."
"You didn't think to mention that you killed him?" Ajuka asked making Azazel laugh.
"I wasn't lying when I said he'd be the best choice, Raguel wouldn't let his anger risk lives, and he held no hatred for devils or fallen, something many of those who died in the war don't share." Azazel said calmly. "But let us move on, a Fallen or a Devil next?"
"A Fallen, I take it you already know who you want to summon?" Ajuka said as he finished making notes, checking some kind of device over to the side of the room with a frown. "The detector barely managed to pick up Raguel when he showed up, but it couldn't work out where he went." Ajuka said making Azazel sigh.
"Naturally, that would be to easy." he agreed as he passed over the next file.
Araquiel, a Fallen Angel of Knowledge.
"After summoning a Archangel, this seems like a bit of a downgrade." I comment as I cast my spell again, watching Ajuka scowl at one of his devices.
"Perhaps, Araquiel was certainly no Archangel... just a regular angel who had the deck stacked against her from the start." Azazel said, almost sadly as he gave me a small smile. "As an Angel of Knowledge, it was her duty to learn... and as such, she was naturally inquisitive, but when you have a bastard like my father deciding what knowledge you can and can't learn, inquisitive Angels don't tend to last... I certainly didn't."
"Didn't you fall because you accidentally stumbled across a mortal farm girl bathing in the river?" Ajuka asks making Azazel pause. "Here me, Mortal, by order of the Heavens, you must spread your legs for me." Ajuka says mockingly as he writes.
"Heh, mortals never were the smartest... and daddy dearest wasn't impressed with me invoking his name to get laid. Okay, fine, I was inquisitive about the wrong thing but my point still stands, father made many Angels curious and inquisitive then tossed them out for being curious about the wrong thing."
As the new figure forms, I stare in slight confusion at the sight of the frankly tiny girl, barely five foot tall as she hovers in front of us, short, shoulder length black hair bouncing slightly as she looks around, shivering.
"W-what... A-Azazel?" Araquiel asks, staring at him.
"Hello Araquiel, welcome back to the land of the living." Azazel says kindly.
"I... how? How did you bring me out of that place..." Araquiel asks making Azazel sigh.
"My new friend here called your spirit out of the afterlife... the afterlife we didn't know existed. Araquiel, I know this may be hard but I need to know what you experienced after your death." Azazel asks making her frown.
"I... pain. Pain and torment, punishment for falling." Araquiel says quietly, making Azazel pause, letting out a sigh.
"As expected, but I had hoped... are you certain it was punishment?"
"I am, when I... when I died, I remember a voice, cold and booming as it gave my sentence. Araquiel, Fallen Angel of Knowledge, for the crime of leaving Gods light, and seeking forbidden knowledge, you will suffer eternally. I haven't forgotten, even after everything that followed..." Araquiel admits making Ajuka and Azazel glance at each other.
"Lord Dantalion, nothing you hear here is to leave this room... Azazel, The God of the Bible has been dead a long time, longer than Araquiel here has been dead for." Ajuka pointed out making Azazel nod.
"It wasn't... his voice, I'm sure of that." Araquiel said, making them pause.
"So who exactly is giving the sentences? Not Michael, and he is in control of the Seat of Heaven now." Azazel agrees.
"I doubt Michael was even aware of this, though we will have to find out... if Heaven is controlling this system, they will be destroyed." Ajuka says simply. "But this voice is punishing Angels for Falling."
"Which is something Father would have definitely done." Azazel agrees, turning back to Araquiel. "I'm sorry to push like this... but how bad is the punishment?" he asks making her flinch back.
"It... it is ever changing, to stop you from getting used to the pain, and there is no end to the creativity of that place. I never saw anyone else, everything seemed... automated, impalement, incineration, being torn apart by mindless beasts, flaying, drowning, I would die, again and again, only to come back and and be subjected to a new form of execution. I... I do not wish to speak of it any more." Araquiel said slowly, shuddering as Azazel closed his eyes.
"There are countless Fallen Angels who have lost their lives..." Azazel said, making Ajuka nod.
"And even more Devils." Ajuka agreed, far less put off.
"Y-you're going to send me back, aren't you?" Araquiel asked looking between us, Azazel flinching slightly.
"It is a constant drain on Lord Dantalion's mana to keep her in this realm, I've been monitoring it, though a small one." Ajuka pointed out coldly.
"We can wait at least, there is no rush, and he keeps old Izan around easily enough." Azazel counters.
They are both right, keeping Araquiel here costs me around 200 of my total mp to maintain, and I only have 6000 total. Izan is easier because I have stuck him in a mortal body, he doesn't need maintenance.
Could I get a body for Araquiel? Not easily I don't think, and it wouldn't be an Angel body... but perhaps I can do something? I can't save every Fallen and Devil, frankly I don't even want to. It is not my responsibility... though I imagine I could make quite a profit by doing so.
"I can maintain her, for now at least." I offer making Ajuka sigh.
"It is a waste of mana... but very well."
+20 Reputation with Azazel for giving his sister a break. [35/100]
+40 Affection with Araquiel for sparing her the eternal torture, for a short while at least. [40/100]
Wait, does it mean sister as in fellow angel, or sister as in... sister?
"I... Thank You, Lord Dantalion, was it?" Araquiel says quietly, hugging herself slightly as she floats.
The experiment continues on, and the results are telling...
The Reincarnated Devil I summoned had suffered the same fate as Izan and Araquiel, eternal suffering... and the Pureblood Devil who Ajuka claimed was known for being kind for a devil had also suffered the same fate. A sample of each group was summoned, with almost identical results... not a single Fallen or Devil (Pureblood or Reincarnated) was spared suffering no matter their deeds.
Some remembered the voice sentencing them, most did not.
The constant tales of suffering got me thinking, some punishments rather unique... A devil known for being very slothful was forced to work though eternal excruciating labour, A fallen who was known for his prideful nature was made a slave serving faceless figures, but they all shared a common trait, pain.
Some had nothing but pain, others had punishments tailor-made for them, but they were all punished.
We even summoned humans who would not have gone to any of the various afterlives, such as Hades, Valhalla, Helheim, or Heaven itself... and found the same story, if you didn't get into an afterlife, you get to suffer instead regardless of your deeds in life.
Apparently, Azazel got permission from Odin to summon some souls from Valhalla and Helheim for a time, just to see if I could... I can, by the way even if I sent them back quickly. I'd rather not cross Hel even with Odin's permission.
We avoided souls that would have gone to Hades, or any of the other Mythological Afterlives, apparently the God Hades guards his souls jealously and the other Death Gods aren't much better.
It all got me thinking real hard... I don't want to go to this all encompassing Hell if I die, and this is DxD, even if I grind like a motherfucker there are some true monsters in this place, and I need a way to make sure I don't end up like the rest of these guys.
I need my own afterlife.
Personal Quest Added
[I'll make my own Afterlife, with Blackjack and Hookers] – Quest Giver: You
Objective: Find a way to create your own afterlife
Reward: An Eternity of... whatever you want, on the chance that you die.
"Right, we are quickly running out of time but there is one last test to do." Azazel pointed out, making Ajuka sigh.
"I still believe this is pointlessly risky, and irrelevant but so be it." Ajuka agrees as they pass the final file over to me.
Opening it up, I immediately see why Ajuka seemed disapproving.
The blonde woman in the picture is a true beauty, wearing bikini armour of all things, strange glowing tattoo going up her leg as she holds a rune-carved sword as she looks sternly at laughing man with an eye-patch and an incredible beard... but reading her 'profile' I wonder if this is a good idea.
Summoning a Goddess seems like a dangerous game, and I frankly don't know enough about Freya to say how she is going to take it.
"Don't worry kiddo, I knew Freya pretty well, but her death has been a mystery for centuries, one I hope to answer here today." Azazel said as I took a deep breath, sending my power out and searching for the Goddess's soul.
I am well aware that Isis guides my hand on this part, how else could I find the souls so easily, but I need no help finding this soul as it burns far more brightly that most others, few comparing to it as I realise that all the bright souls must be gods as well, they have a different... texture I suppose, to other souls.
As I grasp her soul and pull, my eyes widen as I feel my mana drop considerably... over three quarters of my reserves at work just keeping the brightly glowing spirit in this world as she looks around rapidly, still wearing her fur-adorned bikini armour, a small breast plate barely covering said breasts and leaving her stomach exposed, and a furred belt with a small loincloth hanging down to cover her privates as she stares at us.
"Hmm, your mana has dropped considerably, are you able to keep this up?" Ajuka asks, making me nod at him.
"Azazel, what is this? Where has that fiend, Hades gone?" Freya asks quickly, reaching for where her sword would have been sheathed before she scowls.
"Hades? Oh fuck... that's not going to go down well." Azazel mutters. "I'm afraid you are dead, my dear... and have been for a long time. You left to answer the call of some of your worshippers and never returned, Odin tore the mortal realm apart searching for you." Azazel admitted making her pause, frowning. "I take it you didn't experience an afterlife?"
"I did... and Hades and Loki were waiting for me, though what I had done to earn the wrath of the Greek God I do not know, I always told Odin not to trust that snake... I was in battle with Loki when that damnable God of the Dead attacked me from behind, the coward." Freya says with a scornful sneer. "Tell me, how is Odin? Has he slaughtered that snake?"
"This... is definitely not going to go well. Odin is... alive, though he has let himself go after failing to find you, I doubt you would even recognise him any more, gone is the muscle-bound warrior and instead he looks more like a decrepit old man these days... Loki and Hades both live, though Loki hasn't been seen in a long time." Azazel explained awkwardly.
"...Odin, my Odin, is running around as an old man? The fool couldn't have a hair on his beard out of place when I lived. I suppose times change... Is he doing well? Has he remarried?" Freya asked making Azazel freeze.
"Yeah, about that..."
"...don't say it, I'll see for myself, will I not?" Freya asked.
"You are only among the living once more due to the power of Lord Dantalion, and keeping you here is draining." Ajuka cut in making her glare at him, not that he seemed to give a shit.
"That'd be you then, boy?" Freya asks, turning to me as she stares me over. "Well, boy? I need to speak to my husband, he'll reward you for reuniting us, in the spirit at the very least... I'll make sure he does. You have my word as Queen of the Valkyries, former Queen at least."
Quest Added
[Until Death do you... oh, never mind.] - Quest Giver: Freya
Objective: Reunite Odin with the Spirit of his Wife, Freya
Reward: ?
"As you wish, though I do not know how to reach him." I agree, I can do a divine quest if it just means finding Odin and casting a spell.
"Hades is in trouble~" Azazel singsongs.
"Azazel, please take the war that is undoubtedly about to break out seriously." Ajuka says with a sigh.
- Later -
I get the feeling I might have just accidentally started a war between the Greek and Norse pantheons.
I couldn't keep Freya around permanently, but I have kept Araquiel around even if I have sent her to the estate, Azazel doesn't want his people finding out until he has had time to discuss the results with the other leaders of the Grigori... and he has also promised to speak to Odin himself.
Who is absolutely going to attack Hades when the truth comes out, but is that really my problem?
...Hades is going to try and kill me, isn't he?
"Kuro, are you ready?" a voice asks as I finish buttoning up the black silk shirt and turn around, pausing as I spot Venelana as she walks into the room at the Gremory Estate, apparently Kiba is around here somewhere but everyone else is out.
In a long purple dress, she gives me a little spin as she spots me staring, her dress reaches the floor easily enough but it has two long slits up each side showing her long legs and the very low v-cut leaves her cleavage exposed, her lack of a bra clear to see as I spot a hint of areola.
If I'm about to piss off a Greek God (or a Norse God for refusing) I might as well live tonight like it is my last, though I swear to whatever God is listening, it won't be.
I need to get stronger, and fast.
- Bonus Scene – Bryria -
Sitting in the cold cell the devil had her thrown into, she dug into the food the blonde goblin had brought her.
Bread, water, some vegetables, an apple, nothing special... and no meat. The goblin had taken pleasure in deliberately eating some kind of roast meat while sat at the table just outside the cell she shared with the other goblin, Lezea.
After what the Bugbear had fed her for the last... she didn't know how long, it was practically a feast worthy of the gods. Water seemed like the sweetest drink off all after you spent a couple of weeks drinking Bugbear cum, and the taste of bread that wasn't mouldy or covered in urine or cum made her shiver as she devoured it in seconds.
Watching Lezea poke at her own food, she considered trying to take them before she paused. Lezea might be a goblin, but she didn't want to be stuck in a tiny cell with a pissed off barbarian, not when she was still recovering from her borderline starvation.
She had always hated Greenskins, they'd been attacking the farms and camps around her town as long as she could remember, people she knew vanishing or turning up dead on a regular basis...
She realised that the corpses were the lucky ones after she was the one grabbed, clubbed over the head by an orc and claimed as a trophy of their raid. When she woke up, she was naked and in chains as the orc claimed her as his spoil, then the bugbear smashed his skull in and decided that she was his instead.
And now the bugbear was dead, and a devil had claimed her. Time would tell if the devil was worse still.
Gods give her strength.